Department of Energy Technology, Royal Institute of Technology Examination in Energy and Environment (MJ2413) DATE: 10 Dec 2010 TIME:

13:0017:00

0-48 points grade F, 48-49 points grade Fx, 50-59 points grade E, 60-69 points grade D, 70-79 points grade C, 80-89 points grade B, 90-100 points grade A. There are eleven (11) questions on this exam, all totalling 100 points. PLEASE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS: No means of assistance (notes, slides, etc) are permitted. Start each question on a new sheet of paper. Write your name, student number, and page number at the top of each sheet.

1. So-called traditional thinking is characterized as employing approaches such as reductionism and cause-and-effect, which often fails to deal with the emerging problems in modern society. Systems thinking and systems approach therefore are often presented as a more effective alternative best capable of handling complex problems. In this context discuss (a) three kinds of problems that traditional thinking potentially fails to address regarding energy systems, and (b) list two ways that systems thinking could complement traditional thinking for energy systems. (6 + 4 = 10 points) a. Traditional thinking In the traditional thinking, it mainly given priority on the present demand growth. The objective was only on improving the capacity with respect to the demand growth. Objective High reliability , Least cost on expansion planning Results Rapid capacity expansion, Promoting of demand growth , Little consideration of the necessity of energy efficiency Traditional energy planning; Focus on demand growth projections Expansion planning to determine available resources and when they are needed Production cost analysis to rank supply options by cost Calculation of required revenues and rates b. System thinking Meet demand for energy services instead of energy. Focus on demand side management (DSM) and efficiency Include externalities in decision making (Emission cost. Social cost)

Objective: lease total cost (economic + social + Environmental)

Demand side energy saving alternatives

Cost alternatives

Environmental and social impacts

Load

Expansion plan alternative

Production cost including social cost estimation

Feedback of prices and

Rate of return, pricing and incentives for utility and

Revenue Depend on performance

2.

List at least three main issues affecting the global energy agenda, and discuss how Europe is addressing each of them. (3 X 2 points = 6 points) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Security of energy supply Climate change / environmental protection Market competition Investment needs in energy supply infrastructure Accessibility of modern energy in developing countries

1. Security of energy supply Innovate tools to promote sustainable energy systems 1. Electricity certificate system 2. Emission trading 3. Work on standardization of bio fuels 4. Flexible mechanism to Kyoto protocols 5. Well-functioning electricity market 6. Local and regional energy offices 7. Municipal eco energy program 8. Volunteering activity with industry 9. Research program including pilot plants Implementation of PFE Energy auditing and analysis Introduction of EMS Introduction of purchasing and planning procedures Continuous improvement

Application of procedures Implementation of improvement measures Monitoring the effect of procedures Handbook on energy management systems Handbook on energy audits and analysis Handbook for purchasing and planning A template for calculation the LCC according to the PFE requirement

3. What is meant by "external costs" for the transport sector? Give one example and explain how the costs can be calculated. (6 points) What is external cost? Any cost that is imposed to other without any agreement is called external cost In transportation, traffics generate air pollution is an external cost. So these are external cost to the surrounding people and they have no agreement between transportation and the affected people These external costs can be categorized in to several sections Categories; Accidents, noise, air pollution (health, material damage, biosphere), climate change, cost for the nature and landscape. Additional cost to urban areas, up and down stream processes and congestions. The transportation sector can be categorized in to several sections Road Transport - passenger car, busses, heavy vehicles, light vehicles, agricultural vehicles Air Transport - Passenger and Freight Rail Transport Passenger and Freight Water bone transport Inland water transport Then total average cost can be differentiated by means of transport. Marginal cost per means of transport and traffic situation reflects the additional cost per additional unit of transport Cost Category Accidents Air Pollution Climate Change Noise Up and down stream Nature and Land Scape Bio diversity Soil and water Pollution Urban area effects Total 4. Define and describe the following: (3 points for each subpart = 15 points) Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Rebound Effect in the context of energy technology development Road Transportation Diesel ( USS / 1000 SQM ) Petrol (USS / 1000 SQM )

1. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Clean development mechanism is one of the flexible mechanisms defined by Kyoto Protocol that provides emission reduction projects which generate Certified Emission Reduction (CER) unit which may be trade in emission trading reduction. Such projects can earn sealable CER credits each equivalent to one tome of CO2 which can be counted towards Kyoto targets 2. Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of Plans and Programs and prior to their final adoption. The objectives of the SEA process are to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to promote sustainable development by contributing to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of specified Plans and Programs. 3. Environmental Impact Statement EIS) An EIS is a detailed analysis that serves to insure that the policies and goals defined in NEPA are infused into the ongoing programs and actions of the federal agency. EISs are generally prepared for projects that the proposing agency views as having significant prospective environmental impacts. The EIS should provide a discussion of significant environmental impacts and reasonable alternatives 4. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Environmental assessment is a procedure that ensures that the environmental implications of decisions are taken into account before the decisions are made. Environmental assessment can be undertaken for individual projects, such as a dam, motorway, airport or factory, on the basis of Directive (known as 'Environmental Impact Assessment' EIA Directive) or for public plans or programs on the basis of Directive (known as 'Strategic Environmental Assessment' SEA Directive). The common principle of both Directives is to ensure that plans, programs and projects likely to have significant effects on the environment are made subject to an environmental assessment, prior to their approval or authorization. Consultation with the public is a key feature of environmental assessment procedures. Environmental Impacts on: Human health and safety; Flora, fauna, ecosystems and biological diversity; Soil, water, air, climate and landscape; Use of land, natural resources and raw materials; Protected areas and designated sites of scientific, historical and cultural significance Heritage, recreation assets; and Livelihood, lifestyle and wellbeing of those affected by a proposal. Common formal methods: Checklists Matrices Professional judgment Expert systems: overlays and geographic information systems (GIS)

5. Rebound Effect in the context of energy technology development 6. LCA and steps involved in it A systematic tool for carrying out an assessment of all of the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product, process or service over its entire life-cycle. Aim: is to identify and quantify all of the environmental impacts associated with a product starting from extraction of raw material till the disposal of the final end use product.

Cradle to grave Resource use and emission Foreground and background Less site specific Potential impact GIGO Raw material extraction and refining process Product Manufacturing and packaging Process Transportation and distribution at various stages Uses of the product through out its lifetime Disposal and waste treatment

7. Environmental Management (EM) Environmental Management is defined as process of allocating natural and artificial resources so as to make the optimum use of environment in satisfying basic human needs, if possible for an indefinite period and with minimal adverse effects. 8. Integrated Environmental Management (IEM) A philosophy which prescribes a code of practice for ensuring that environmental considerations are fully integrated into all stages of the development and decisionmaking process. The IEM should be applied In the assessment, implementation of any proposal, project, plan, programme or policy or at activity level In all activities at the local, national and international level that has a potentially significant effect on the environment.

5. List three key passive heating and three key passive cooling strategies, and give specific examples of each. (6 x 2 points = 12 points)

Passive Heating

Passive Cooling

Ventilation

Vents and open windows let in warm outside air when available, and should be closed when outside air becomes colder than inside air (unless airing the house).

Vents or open windows let in cool outside air when available, or kept closed when outside air is warmer than inside air (unless airing the house). Vents at the top of a room or building can let out warm air (which rises up and accumulates near the ceiling), this air to replace by cooler air from outside.

Thermal mass

Captures heat from sunlight and warm air, and slowly releases it to keep interiors warm despite cold conditions outside.

Captures coolness from available cool breezes, then slowly releases it to keep interiors cool despite hot outside conditions.

Insulation

Prevents heat loss through walls, ceilings, floors to cold outside air and earth. Double and triple glazing on windows. Prevents heat loss through windows to cold outside air.

Prevents heat coming in through walls, ceilings, floors from hot outside air, walls, roofing. Double and triple glazing on windows prevents heat gain through windows from warm outside air.

Glazing

Draught sealing

Keeps warm air in and cold air out.

Keeps cool air in and warm air out Inside blinds or curtains, and outside awnings or shutters will keep unwanted sunlight from entering through windows. Nearby trees or bushes can keep the sunlight away from windows, and off walls, roofs and outside paving which might transmit heat to the building interior. North facing windows (in the Southern Hemisphere) are good for sunlight because simple eaves can block out high-angled midday Summer sun, while letting in lowangled Winter sun. East and West facing windows need more extensive protection from Summer sun, although they are good for obtaining heat from sunlight in Winter.

Shading

Building orientation

The rooms that are most used should have the sunward facing windows

6. List four of the nine planetary boundaries as discussed in the Rockstrm et al. article Planetary Boundaries: Exploring the Safe Operating Space for Humanity. Include the following for each of the four boundaries listed: (a) the control variable (e.g. unit that can be measured), and (b) significance to energy sector. (4 X 3 points = 12 points)
Unit that can be measured Atmospheric concentration, in ppm CO2 Climate change Energy imbalance at earths surface, W/m2 Carbonate ion concentration Avg ocean saturation state wrt aragonite (CaCO3) Stratospheric O3 concentration Dobson Unit (DU) Inflow of P into oceans Amount of N2 removed from atmosphere (anthropogenic) Extinctions per million species per year (E/MSY) Anthropogenic blue water use, km3/yr % of global land cover converted to cropland Atmospheric particulate concentration (regional basis) Sulfate, smoke, dust Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), plastics, heavy metals, nuclear waste, Significance to energy sector Loss of polar and glacial ice Regional climate disruptions Weakening of carbon sinks Conversion of coral reefs to algal systems Regional elimination of CaCO3 producing biota Marine carbon sink UV-B effects on humans and ecosystems P: avoid major anoxic effect N: acidification, eutrophication Ecosystem functioning Impact on many other boundaries Massive losses unacceptable ethically Regional climate patterns Moisture feedback, biomass production Irreversible, widespread conversion of biomes Carbon storage through biodiversity, landscape heterogeneity Disruption of monsoon systems Human health effects Interaction with climate change and freshwater boundaries Ecosystem functioning Impact on other boundaries

Ocean acidification

Stratospheric ozone depletion Interference with the global phosphorus and nitrogen cycles Rate of biodiversity loss

Global freshwater use

Land-system change

Aerosol loading

Chemical Pollution

7. (a) State a clear and concise of sustainable development. (b) List the two paradigms of sustainability. Describe these paradigms via dynamic (time-dependent) equations where variable C is quantification for a type of capital (natural, human, social). (c) Describe two advantages/benefits and two disadvantages/drawbacks for each of the two paradigms. (2 + 2 + 4 = 10 points) 8. List four pollutants that are considered to be greenhouse gases, and then rank the list according to relative global warming potential lowest first and highest last. (4+2=6 points) 9. Describe three major environmental impacts of biomass utilization for electricity production, including the following elements: (a) mechanisms involved in pollutant formation or other negative environmental impact, including the major pollution pathway(s); and (b) possible mitigation methods. (3 x 5 points = 15 points) 10. Briefly list the steps of CBA method in environmental related applications. (5 points) 11. In reference to the article by Pacala and Socolow, Stabilization Wedges: Solving the Climate Problem for the Next 50 Years with Current Technologies: (a) draw a rough, qualitative sketch of the expected development of net CO2 emissions as a function of time from years 2000 to 2060 for the business as usual case; (b) add a curve showing emissions leading to a reduction in atmospheric CO2; and (c) draw the stabilization wedges. (8 points)